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August 8, 2005

Ousted Mauritania president vows to return soon-TV

by Sam Savage

DUBAI (Reuters) - Mauritania's ousted President Maaouya
Ould Sid'Ahmed Taya, deposed in a military coup last week, has
vowed to return to his country soon, satellite television Al
Arabiya said on Monday.

"The ousted president stresses he will return to Mauritania
soon," the Dubai-based channel said, adding that it would
broadcast an interview with Taya later on Monday.

It said Taya condemned the coup as a criminal act and
called on the armed forces to return the country to "legality."

Taya, who had ruled Mauritania since 1984, was overthrown
in a bloodless coup by a group of army officers on Wednesday
while he was out of the country.

A military junta has taken power and vowed to hold
presidential polls within two years in the West African
country.